The Difference Between Wax, Shatter, and Oil

The Difference Between Wax, Shatter, and Oil

Shatter, wax, and oil are all cannabis extracts of BHO (butane hash oil) or similar hydrocarbon extracts. Cannabis extracts are any oil that concentrates the plant’s chemical compounds like THC and CBD. This is achieved through a variety of extraction processes and solvents, the most common being butane. The end product of extraction is a highly potent oil of varying consistencies most popularly used for vaporization and dabbing.

Wax

Cannabis wax is a form of hash oil concentrate created through butane hash oil extraction and ironically looks like ear wax. This substance contains up to 90% THC and provides an exceptional high.wax is created through a process called purging, a process in which residual solvents are removed from the product. Wax can take up different consistencies based on heat, moisture, and the texture of the oil before it is purged. There are a number of ways to enjoy cannabis wax including smoking it through a bong, dabbing and vaping it.

Shatter

Shatter is somewhat similar to wax but vary in texture and potency. When made with butane, shatter’s extraction process is nearly the same as that of the wax varieties, but blasters have to make sure that the oil doesn’t get agitated and crystalize, which will change it from translucent to opaque — essentially turning the clear shatter into a cloudy wax. Shatter has an amber glass transparency and is known to be the purest and cleanest type of extract. Similarly to wax, the texture of shatter depends on heat, moisture, and high terpene. Shatter has a consistency ranging from a sticky sap to a hard resin.

Oil

Cannabis oil is extracted resin from the cannabis plant that has been dissolved into a carrier oil to create a liquid. There are many ways to make cannabis oil including CO2 extract, ethanol, and olive oil. The most common types of oil is butane hash oil, CO2 oil, rick simpson oil, and tinctures. Cannabis oil is widely used as a topical and as an alternative medicine. One can also vape it or bake it and/or cook it with different types of food such as putting oil in brownie mix.